U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, has announced his support for the Invest in
American Jobs Act of 2013.

According to a statement released last week, the bill is intended to close
loopholes in existing Buy America provisions and ensure that all federal
transportation and infrastructure investments support American jobs and
domestic manufacturing.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.V., now heads to the
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration.

“We have the best workers in the world, the smartest manufacturers in the
world, and an economic infrastructure in dire need of repair,” Visclosky
said. “Today, I am urging my colleagues to join me in support of this
legislation, which will close Buy America loopholes, strengthen existing Buy
America requirements, and ensure that all federal infrastructure projects
receive the “Made-in-America” seal of approval.”

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure says that the
legislation would do the following:

•Strengthen existing Buy America requirements for investments in highway,
bridge, public transit, rail, and aviation infrastructure and equipment to
ensure that all steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in these projects
are produced in the United States.

•Increase domestic content requirements for public transit rolling stock and
federally-procured aviation facilities and equipment, from 60 percent under
current law to 100 percent by FY 2017.

•Apply Buy America requirements to other transportation and infrastructure
investment where such requirements do not exist in current law, including
rail infrastructure grants, loans, and loan guarantees, Clean Water State
Revolving Fund grants, and Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants.

•Require federal agencies to justify any proposed waiver of the Buy America
requirements and ensure that the American public has notice of and an
opportunity to comment on any proposed waiver prior to it taking effect.